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US nuclear security overhaul ordered following `incidents`
Washington, June 25: US energy secretary Spencer Abraham has ordered an `overhaul` of security at the nation`s nuclear weapons laboratories, following charges his department might not be doing enough to prevent terrorists from getting hold of materials needed to build a `dirty bomb.`
Washington, June 25: US energy secretary Spencer Abraham has ordered an "overhaul" of security at the nation's nuclear weapons laboratories, following charges his department
might not be doing enough to prevent terrorists from getting hold of materials needed to build a "dirty bomb."
"The Department of Energy views security as the critical
responsibility of the national laboratories, and we treat any
lapse or failure as significant," Abraham said in a brief
statement yesterday.
He said he had directed Linton Brooks, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, to launch "a comprehensive security overhaul" at the national labs and to put in place any immediate changes he deemed necessary.
"In light of recent security incidents at the labs, the administrator's plan for improved security must be aggressive and far-reaching, and must ensure greater accountability and confidence that corrective action will occur," said the energy secretary.
The move follows two stinging congressional reports, which faulted the department for failure to provide adequate security for radioactive materials in the United States and broaden cooperation with foreign partners to prevent nuclear theft by potential terrorists abroad.
In a survey released yesterday, the general accounting office said that "it cannot be assured" that security contractors employed by the nuclear labs "are working to maximum advantage to protect critical facilities and material from individuals seeking to inflict damage."
A study made public by the Gao last week said about 25 so-called "sealed sources" containing radioactive materials are reported lost or stolen in the US each year.
Bureau Report
He said he had directed Linton Brooks, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, to launch "a comprehensive security overhaul" at the national labs and to put in place any immediate changes he deemed necessary.
"In light of recent security incidents at the labs, the administrator's plan for improved security must be aggressive and far-reaching, and must ensure greater accountability and confidence that corrective action will occur," said the energy secretary.
The move follows two stinging congressional reports, which faulted the department for failure to provide adequate security for radioactive materials in the United States and broaden cooperation with foreign partners to prevent nuclear theft by potential terrorists abroad.
In a survey released yesterday, the general accounting office said that "it cannot be assured" that security contractors employed by the nuclear labs "are working to maximum advantage to protect critical facilities and material from individuals seeking to inflict damage."
A study made public by the Gao last week said about 25 so-called "sealed sources" containing radioactive materials are reported lost or stolen in the US each year.
Bureau Report